Tag Archives: home remedy

It is very easy to do a facial at home following the simple steps given below. A facial once in 15 days helps to improve complexion, increases blood circulation, rejuvenates the skin and relieves tension. Your skin will feel refreshed and more alive naturally. Before doing a facial, keep all the ingredients ready, tie your hair back and then start.

Step #1 –Cleansing

The first step in facial is cleansing. Remove all traces of makeup using facial cleansers suited for your skin type. You can use raw milk to cleanse your face. Dip cotton in milk and wipe your face to remove all makeup and dirt from your face. Use circular upward movements. Rinse thoroughly with plenty of water. If using store bought products, make sure that you use an oil free cleanser for oily skin and a milky or creamy cleanser for dry skin types.

Step#2 Exfoliating

The second step is to exfoliate. Exfoliation helps to remove dry skin cells on the surface. Use any natural homemade exfoliating scrub. Apply scrub to damp skin and massage gently focusing on forehead, chin and nose. Avoid skin around the eyes as they are very soft and sensitive. Exfoliation helps to remove dead cells and improve skin textures. It also helps to reduce large pores. Regular exfoliation reduces fine lines and wrinkles and keeps your skin much softer and younger.

Step#3 Steaming

The third step is facial steaming. Steaming opens the pores and helps to release toxins and impurities built up on the skin. Bring water to boil in a big vessel. Remove from heat. With a towel forming a tent over your head, lower/lean your face over the vessel and capture the steam. Take care not to go too close as it might scald your skin. You can add a tbsp of rose petals or lavender or thyme or rosemary to the water to get a stimulating cleanse. Steam for 10-15 minutes leaving a gap in between. Finish off by splashing cool water on your face. If you have problematic skin or have sensitive skin, consult your skin specialist prior to facial steaming.

Step#4 Facial Mask

The next step is to apply Facial Mask. Choose mask/packs according to your skin type. For oily skin, use mud/clay mask as it helps to absorb excess oil. For dry skin, use hydrating mask or creamy mask and for sensitive skin use a light gel mask. Combination skin needs more than one mask to spot treat different areas. Place cotton soaked in rosewater or place cucumber slices on each eye and relax for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, wash with plenty of water.

Step #5 Moisturizing

The last step is moisturizing the skin. All skin types need moisturizing. Choose moisturizer suited for your skin type. For oily skin choose a light moisturizer or water based product. For dry skin use a heavier, oil-based moisturizer. For sensitive skin, avoid moisturizer containing fragrances or acids. Moisturizer helps to protect your skin and maintain the texture.

Get Started !! Give yourself a good and inexpensive facial at home with these 5 easy steps listed above.

Facial and body hair in women is considered unfeminine and is quite embarrassing for many women. The good thing is there are many methods to get rid of unwanted hair. We will discuss some common methods here.

1.Bleaching

Bleaching is a method in which facial bleaching cream is used to lighten the color of the hair, thereby making it less noticeable. Ready made facial bleaching creams are available in the market or beauty supply shops. First do a patch test as instructed on the cover, if you experience redness or irritation, do not use the cream otherwise you can go ahead. Bleaching helps to conceal only fine hair and is not suitable for thick hair. Persons with sensitive skin should avoid bleaching.

2. Shaving

Shaving is the quickest and the easiest method to get rid of unwanted hair. But women should avoid this method for facial hair.This is best suited for underarms and hair on the legs and hands. Never dry shave. Apply lot of moisturizer on the area to be shaved and use long upward stokes. Shave in the direction your hair grows. Also use a sharp blade as this helps to avoid razor rashes. The disadvantage in this method is that the hair grows back within a few days and one has to shave frequently.

3.Threading

According to Wikipedia, threading is an ancient method of hair removal originating in the Eastern world. In more recent times it has gained popularity in western countries. It involves using a simple cotton thread to grasp and pull unwanted facial hair. It should be done by a beautician or professional expert. Side effect can include skin reddening or puffiness, and changes in skin pigment.

4.Tweezing

Tweezing helps to remove a few stray hairs, but is not useful for removing a large area of hair. In tweezing single hairs are pulled out one at a time with a help of tweezers available in the market for this purpose. It can be done on the eyebrows and upper lips. Tweezing is very painful and repeated tweezing can leave small scars. One can rub ice cubes on the area before and after tweezing as it helps to reduce pain. One should not pluck hair from moles and warts.

5.Waxing

Ready made wax is available in the market for this purpose. Wash and clean area to be waxed. Apply wax evenly in the direction of hair growth using the applicator given along with the pack. Place and press a strip of cotton cloth on top of it and smooth it out. Pull the strip of cloth quickly in opposite direction of hair growth. Waxing is more painful, but will come out smoother and last longer than shaving. You can make use of ready made wax strips available in the market. The strips are easier to apply and they also contain moisturizer as well. If you have sensitive skin waxing can result in bumps and swelling.

6.Depilatories

Depilatory creams contain chemicals which dissolve the keratin present in the hair. Always do a patch test before using the cream. Wash the area to be depilated. Dry it well with a towel. Apply the cream with the spatula given along with the pack and follow the instructions given on the packet. Wipe off the cream using a wet cloth to remove hair. Wash area well with water and pat it dry. People with sensitive skin are strongly advised against using these creams. This is suitable for underarms, legs and hands.

Natural remedies/Home tips for Unwanted Facial Hair:

1.Lemon juice is a natural bleaching agent. Mix gram pulse flour (besan), wheat flour, milk cream, a few drops of fresh lemon juice, mustard oil and water together. Rub this paste in circular movements and wash it off. Do it regularly. Start this treatment from an early age as hair is soft and fine at that time.

2.Mix sugar, water and lemon juice to a thick paste. Apply it and wash it off when it dries. Do this once a week to prevent hair growth.

3.Mix 2 tsp of barley powder with little milk, few drops of fresh lemon juice and make a paste. Apply it on your face, remain for 15 minutes and wash it off with warm water. If done regularly, you can get of fine facial hair.

4.Take equal quantities of moong dal powder, neem leaves powder, kasturi manjal powder and few kuppai meni leaves. Grind it to a paste with very less water. Apply on skin and leave it to dry. After 15-20 minutes, scrub your face gently in the direction of hair growth to remove unwanted fine hair.

These natural remedies, if followed regularly, discourage hair growth over a period of time. It also helps to get rid of very fine facial hair on upper lips and chin.

Electrolysis and laser treatment are also effective ways to remove hair and reduce hair growth but should be done by licensed professionals in that field.

Most shampoos available in the market has chemicals in it especially sodium lauryl sulfate. It is a detergent which causes dryness of hair, hair loss and even allergic reaction in some people.You can make your own herbal shampoo at home without any synthetic chemicals using natural ingredients. It is not only very cheap but also cleanses and conditions your hair effectively and wonderfully.

Dry everything in the sun and give it for grinding to the flour mill or you can buy all these powder (pure) separately from the market, mix it and use it.

We have never had any dandruff problem or lice problem or any scalp problem. Do you want to know the secret behind it? The secret is-my mother grinds a handful of dried neem leaves and tulsi leaves along with shikkakai.Since neem has powerful antiseptic properties,we have never had any problems related to hair.

You can grind henna leaves and gooseberries also along with shikkakai to prevent your hair from premature graying.

Method to use -Take 2-3 tbsp of Sikkakai powder, mix it with a little water and cook on low flame till it starts thickening. Switch off and let it cool. We do this to prevent the sikkakai from sticking to our scalp.

2.Herbal shampoo using Bengal gram or green gram flour :

Mix green gram flour (payatha mavu) or Bengal gram flour (kadalai mavu) with buttermilk and use it to wash your hair. The hair becomes very soft, clean and shining. This works wonders for persons with dry hair.

3.Fenugreek shampoo

Soak fenugreek seeds overnight, grind it to a paste. Mix it with one portion of shikakai and 1/2 portion of green gram flour and use it as a shampoo.

4.Hibiscus shampoo

Take 15 hibiscus leaves and 5-6 hibiscus flowers (use only ordinary red variety) and boil them in a cup of water for 5 minutes. After it cools, grind it to a paste.

Mix this with 1/4 cup of gram flour or as required and wash your hair with it.

Alternatively, you can dry hibiscus leaves and flower in the sun, powder it, mix it with gram flour (kadalai mavu) and use it like a shampoo to wash your hair. It does not lather like the shampoos you get in the market but will cleanse your hair well.

5. Egg shampoo for people with hair fall and dandruff problems.

Take egg white alone, mix it with a little sour curd and apply well on the scalp. Wash with warm water and bengal gram flour after 20 minutes of application.

6.Arisi Kanji/Rice kanji for washing hair

Mix rice kanji (the excess water drained after cooking rice) with gram flour and use it to wash your hair. It cleans and conditions your hair naturally.

Tips – As far as possible avoid washing your hair with chlorinated water or salt water. Always rinse your hair well 2-3 times in fresh water.